You can make games with them.
How powerful depends on which one your using. RPGXP is fairly powerful since it has the simpler method of making games along with supports form a programming script to use.
Look on any RPG Maker fan site or official project sites to find a wide range of example games. I have to say the german sites usually end up being the best for me.
If you cna take the time to learn to use the scripting language then do it because it makes you have a wider range of posibilities to put into your game. :D